Locking device for gas-tube connections.



No. 721,577. PATENTED FEB. 24, 190 3.

I. LINDNER.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR GAS TUBE CONNECTIONS.

' APPLIOATION I'ILBD JULY 26, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WITNESSES: F wk I v BY ATR No. 721,577.v PATENTED FEB. 24, 1903.

I. LINDNER.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR GAS TUBE CONNECTIONS.

ABILIGATION FILED JULY 26. 1902.

N0 MODEL. I 7 2 SHEEIS-SHEET 2.

- INVENTOR WITNESSES:

I M A, w -%%y THE NORRIS PETERS 00., PHOTO'LITHO, WASHINGTON, o. c.

UNI ED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

, isrb'oRtinDNER, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

LOCKING DEVICE-FOR GAS-TUBE CONNECTIONS? SPEGIFIGATIOLI forming part of LettersT atent No. 721,577, dated February 24, 1903.

- Application filed July 26,

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISIDOR LINDNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at No. 2328 Third avenue, borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Looking at each end with a soft-rubber tip intended to be forced onto a tapered nipple at the point of attachment to form a gas-tight connection. This connection when first made-that is, when the tip is new-is comparativelysecu-re; but after the tip has been detached and reconnected several times it stretches and becomes permanently enlarged and then may be readily discon nected with little or no effort. Consequently it is likely to he accidentally detached and, if not immediately observed, may result in filling the room with gas, setting fire to the building, and loss of life.

The object of my invention, therefore, is to avoid the objectionable features above pointed out by securely locking the tube-tip on the connecting-nipple, and for this purpose I employ any suitable device capable of being readily secured on or adjacent to the rubber tip of the tube, together with means extending from said device into locking engagement with the valve-key, gas-pipe, or other part of the apparatus to which thetube is connected.

Preferred forms embodying my invention are illustrated in the acconi panyin g two sheets of drawings, throughout the several views of which like 11 umerals of reference indicate cor-,

responding parts.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective, showing the lower end of a radiator and the gas-tubing connected therewith, also the application of my tube-locking device to the connection. Fig. 2 is a View in perspective of the locking device detached from the tube. Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of lgoafsesn No. 117,031. (No model.)

theftube-clarnping ring. I Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of the tube-clamping device applied'toa drop-light connection. Fig. 5 is a view in perspective, showing a modified form of device applied to a radiator. I Fig. 6 is a view int-perspective of the device detached; and Fig.1-"7-ais a view in perspective, showing the same applied to a drop-light connection.

Referring to the drawings, 1 may represent the key or valve controlling the gas-supply either from" aiZ-gas bracket, fixture, or service-pipe or to a radiator, range, lamp, or the like, and 2 represents the tapered nipple extending outward from the valved pipe. The

tubing 3 at eachuend is provided in the usual manner-with a soft-rubber tip 4:, which at its inner end is encireled by a metallic collar 5 and tapers outward until its diameter is considerablylarger thanthe-outside diameter of the tubing proper. z

The locking device for the tubing comprises a tube-clampfi in the-form of a split or open ring, collar, oif.sleev e, o f .wire or sheet metal, and a lockingmemben'l, extending from the clamp into locked engagement with. the gas key, valve, or other convenient part or mem- ,ber. open ring of spring wire is employed as a tube-clamp, having its ends bent up to form terminal eyelets 8 8 and provided,further, at a point diametrically opposite these eyelets with a third eyelet 8 is also of spring-wire and is approximately U -shaped. The straight parallel portions 9 9 thereof extend along opposite sides of the rubber tip of the tubing to a point beyond the of the ring are then pressed together and one hook of the locking member snapped into engagement therewith. In thus connecting the locking member with the ring-clamp the latter is at the same time clamped upon the tube. The tip is then forced over the nipple In the form'shownfin Figs. 1 to at an- The locking memberand is secured by adjusting the U-shaped locking device over the key or valve and hooking its free end in the ring-eyelet 8, as shown. To disconnect the tubing, it is only necessary to disengage the hook last mentioned from the eyelet 8 and lift the loop clear of the key or valve, when the tip may he slipped off the nipple without removing the ring-clam p, which latter remains secu rely locked upon the tubing encircling the metallic collar thereof.

In the modification shown in Figs. 5 to 7 a split sleeve is employed as a tube-clamp, the same being sprung onto the tubing and detachably secured in any suitable manner as, for example, by the headed pin and keyhole connection 11 shown. The end of the sleeve adjoining the tip is slitted axially to form a circularly-disposed series of springfingers 12 12, 850., which are bent or curved inward at their ends to engage the tapered portion of the soft-rubber tip as the sleeve is forced onto the same. When thus adjusted, the spring-fingers securely clamp the tip, and are thus locked bya hook extending outward from the split collar and adapted to take around the gas key, pipe, or the like, and thereby securely lock the connection against accidental breaking. To apply this device, the sleeve is opened, clasped around the tubing, and after being secured is forced upon the tip until the spring-fingers become embedded slightly therein. Then the tip is forced on the nipple, and the connection is locked by adjusting the hook to engage the key or pipe, as above described.

Some of the main advantages of my invention are as follows: The extreme simplicity of the device enables unskilled persons to readily adjust it, the. Its effectiveness in insuring against the possibility of accident resulting from a broken connection, &c., renders it of great value, &c.

It will be understood that I do not Wish to limit myself to the exact construction and arrangement of parts herein shown and described, as various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Other means might be substituted for the open ring to clamp the tubing, and the engaging hooks and eyes mightbe dispensed with. Devices other than the hook might also be employed to lock the connection; but all such modifications I con sider obvious and immaterial variations of form and not of substance and still within the meaning of the present invention.

Having, therefore, described myinvention, I claim- 1. The combination of the valved supplypipe, the flexible tube provided with a terminal connecting-tip of greater diameter than the tube and a locking device comprising a clamping member encircling the tube at a point adjacent to the inner end of the tip, and a locking member extending from said clamping member into engagement with the valved supply-pipe.

2. The combination of the valved supplypipe, the flexible tube provided with a terminal tip of greaterdiameter than the tube, and a locking device comprising an approximately C-shaped clamping member having its ends eyeleted and overlapping to completely encircle and grip the tube at a point adjacent to theinner end of the tip and a locking member engaging the eyeleted ends of the clamping member and extending therefrom into locking engagement with the valve of the supply-pipe.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 1st day of July, 1902.

ISIDOR LINDNER. Witnesses:

W. H. PUMPHREY, J. E. PEARSON. 

